London Hilton Park Lane

It’s been almost too long since I’ve written - and this post on the London Hilton Park Lane can be one of the reasons. I’ve spent the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016 travelling - from Tasmania to Hong Kong to London (and most recently, Switzerland and the Alps). In short - it’s been busy but a bit of time off is always great to clear the mind. If you haven’t been following my Instagram and Instagram takeover of the London Hilton Park Lane, then here goes.

Time really does pause when you’re high up; London Hilton Park Lane prides itself for being the tallest building in Park Lane, and even in Mayfair. A ‘skyscraper’ during its development in the mid-20th Century and completed in 1963. If you’re a Londoner, you’ll no doubt have seen this 101m building stretch its head out over the low-rise buildings in Mayfair or played ‘hide-and-seek’ with it from Hyde Park.

Once labelled as aesthetically the ‘worst kind of dumb Manhattan pastiche’, it was quite ‘the thing’ at that time. There was a high desire of creating skyscrapers, or luxury high-rises, because there was nothing like that at that era. To put it into comparison, Canary Wharf was still one of the busiest docks in the world at that time. Similar to that era, the docks closed and the British Government began to become more adoptive to policies that stimulated redevelopment. So take your minds back to half a Century ago, instead of comparing it to the likes of The Shard or One Canada Water

The Park Lane Suite was my home for my visit - a 1-bedroom suite that had a balcony with expansive views from Victoria, Knightsbridge and Mayfair. Early birds can practically watch sunrise from Mayfair and sunset at Hyde Park, from Hyde Park Corner right to the end at Billionaire’s Row. Views from hotel rooms in London are always an issue, simply because it’s not New York and there's a coherent height limit policy on buildings.

Hilton hotel group has dotted its hotels around London though the most luxurious is most definitely the Park Lane branch. Its height has won its status as the tallest building in the 1960s; and this name is just as valid today in Mayfair since there’s no place like unwinding 28th floors up at the Galvin at Windows Bar. The bar manager, Boris Ivan, wrote the menu as a ‘Traveller’s Book’, allowing the opportunity to take visitors onto a journey to the Far East. Most of the drinks are inspired by Ivan's travels to South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, with names such as the ‘Match G&T’ and the ‘Geisha’. There’s nothing quite like it in this part of London.

As above, utilising space efficiently remain to be an issue in London; though Trader Vic's occupy its basement level since the opening of the hotel in 1963. It's perhaps London’s most secretive hideaway that can take you on an exotic holiday in seconds (depending on how quick you can conquer the flight of stairs). Also priding itself as the home of the Mai Tai cocktail and nightly live music, its mix of Tiki carved walls and tropical bar will leave you dreaming of the French Polynesian Islands, along with its modern cuisine. The highlight was most definitely the recommended ‘Tuna Poke’ with Fresh Ahí Tuna & avocado and the ginger Wok’d fried Scottish Lobster.

Hilton places emphasis on business travel and leisure travel. The additional facilities such as the Hilton Fitness gym by Precor, 11 flexible function rooms and a Business Centre make it perfect for travellers on-the-go and a wide range of meetings and events. The views and luxurious range of 56 suites have challenged The Hilton Group onto a different level of quality and service. Its clientele would most likely be familiar with The Hilton Group yet they are fond to keep the comfort of Business savviness with an added twist of luxury.

To some, Park Lane will forever be a major traffic thoroughfare that connects Marble Arch to Wellington Arch. Hilton Park Lane has opened a market that allows busy travellers to see London, in the heart of Mayfair, from above without the hassle of making an additional trip. They live through this experience during their stay.